Michael Bourn suspended one game for making contact with umpire
Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Bourn has been suspended one game and fined for making contact with an umpire during an argument in Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs, the team announced Thursday.
Bourn is appealing his suspension and will continue to play until his appeal is heard.
Bourn was called out on strikes in the top of the fourth inning and confronted home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi on his way out to play defense in the bottom of the inning.
"I went up to him (on the way to center field) and told him I thought the ball he called me out on was six inches outside," Bourn said after the game, according to Cleveland.com. "It was because I looked at it (on video). He said, 'That's what you came to tell me?' I said 'Yeah.' Then he said, 'You should wait until you come up to bat the next time to tell me.' I told him I felt like saying it now ... and he tossed me.' I didn't cuss at him or nothing. I felt I had a right to talk to him. But I don't feel I got my money's worth."
Bourn has played in 59 of Cleveland's 64 games this season. He is batting .242 with a .606 OPS and has 45 strikeouts, the second-most on the team.
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- Dan Gartland
